Sunday Scripture...

Web Image - Unknown

  Third Sunday of Advent

Corgi On...

Corgi Embroideries

I hit a wall Wednesday. I got through seventeen of twenty one thread changes required to stitch out just one of these sweet Corgi designs on my Destiny, when the threads were so bunged up underneath that I knew I'd never finish the design. I cut my losses (and my thread) and pulled the fabric out of the hoop. Next stop, my studio trash receptacle.

This design has tripped me up more than once, so you know I must really love it to keep going back to it. But, I especially needed them for a Christmas commission I'm making for a client, so I had to come up with a permanent solution to this issue.

I use a program on my Mac called Embrilliance for cataloguing and manipulating my embroidery design files, and I really like it. I seemed to remember that they now have a special module for dealing with just these issues. I went to their website, and there it was...Density Repair Kit.

I read through the item description to make sure it would help with my issues, placed and paid for my order, and thankfully, it was an immediate download that installed right into my Embrilliance program. I entered my serial number, provided on my order confirmation, and I was in business.

Less than twenty minutes later, I'd dealt with the overabundance of threads (especially in the face and muzzle area), transferred the design into Destiny, and crossed my fingers.

Embroidery and Brynwood Badge Detail

 

Voila! Stitched out my Corgi, not once, but twice, so now I can make the tote and wallet for my client. Now that I got that part finished, I went right on to sewing the tote together. I'll finish both of them today, and then I can turn my attention to my Christmas sewing.

Here's my standard disclaimer: I was in no way compensated for my mention, endorsement or extreme happiness with the Embrilliance program for my Mac, nor for the Density Repair Kit module from the same company. I paid full price for the programs (just like everyone else). I'm just a big fan. There. That's out of the way. Now I can get back to the fun stuff. 

 

Tomorrow is the second Sunday in Advent. I'll be lighting my first (again) and second candles of our Advent wreath, as I say my special prayers. As always, I'll share a Bible verse with you tomorrow, and be back with project photographs on Monday. Enjoy your weekend, my dears. We'll have snow, but Tag and I will be toasty warm as we enjoy our Christmas tree lights here at the farm.

In Case You Wondered...

Advent Wreath In Process

Frequently, when I post pictures of my finished work, be it canning, needlework or something else here at the farm, someone invariably comments that they don't know how I get so much done.

Truth is, most times, I work in fits and starts. I accomplish things in a flurry of activity, and then I have to rest and kick start again. Sometimes, I just sit in a chair and read or do needlework.

Yesterday was one of those days. Monday afternoon I drove to the Milwaukee area to go to a music concert with our elder daughter-in-law. We went to St. Paul's Episcopal Church to see a performance by Milwaukee Symphony's Concertmaster, Frank Almond and four of his musician friends.

It was a magical evening, and in some ways ushered in the Christmas season for me. I only wish Handsome could have been there with us. He would have loved the music.

Tag and I stayed overnight with our elder son, his wife and our grandson (and their black lab, Duncan). Tag had a ball while we were gone, and the guys had a football banquet to attend. We got back to the house and visited for a while before everyone headed off to bed. It was, after all, a work/school night for them.

Almost Done

On my way home, I stopped at JoAnn Fabrics to pick up a few supplies for an idea I'd been working on.  Sunday isn't just my Birthday (Yup. It's that time of year again!). Most importantly, it's the first Sunday of Advent on the Christian calendar. I wanted to have an Advent Wreath this year, so I needed the candles and wreath to make a centerpiece for our dining room table.

The only thing I forgot were candle holders for tapers to set in the center. I learned my lesson about burning candles decades ago (when I nearly burned down our home during a cocktail party), so I will have the candles in fire-safe holders inside a glass container - and the each candle will be lit on each of the four Sundays in Advent while I'm in the room with them. No unattended burning candles in a hundred year old farmhouse!

I added little cardinals to my sparkling wreath, and there are three purple candles, with the one rose-colored candle to signify the eve of Christ's birth. That will be the last candle burned.

Kathy Schmitz Needlework

 

I spent much of the rest of the day reading, and then pulled out one of the last Kathy Schmitz embroidery projects for the other quilt I've been working on. I think there's only one more block after I finish this one!

Today, I'll be making six dozen cookies for a cookie exchange party I'm attending on my Birthday. Aside from my chocolate chip cookies, I haven't mass-produced (six dozen is "mass produced" for me!) a batch of cookies. Each person who attends was asked to bring that many for the exchange. There will be contests and games and such, and I'm looking forward to going. 

 

I'm making cutout cookies that I'll decorate. I'm not sure I'll get all of that done today. I may bake them today and then decorate them tomorrow. I might decide to sit and stitch a bit more. We'll see how it goes.